Pole barns are buildings made using what’s known as post-frame construction. The poles themselves can be driven into the ground or secured at the surface. They then support the roofing, removing the need for both load-bearing walls and foundations.
Don’t be fooled by the name. Post-frame construction isn’t just ideal for building barns. These days, many property owners are also building Pole Barn Houses. Read on to find out why.
Low Cost
Since pole barn structures don’t require foundations or basements, they can be built directly on poured concrete slabs or gravel. This helps to reduce the material and labor costs associated with pole barn homes. They also go up fast and are easy to build, further reducing labor and material costs.
The overall cost of constructing a new pole barn home differ significantly based on factors like location, size, materials, and building features. As a general rule, though, they are less expensive than traditional homes.
Design Adaptability
Almost any standard single-story house plan can be altered to work with pole barn construction. Property owners who already have a good idea of what they want may need to change a few structural details since the posts need to be placed in specific locations, which can affect minor details of the plan. This construction technique offers plenty of adaptability when it comes to interior and exterior design, floor plans, and materials, though, so it’s easy for property owners to get exactly the houses they want for less.
Faster Construction
The construction time for post-frame structures is shorter than that associated with traditional homes. There are fewer materials to be sourced and components to install, and since the walls won’t be load-bearing, framing them in is much easier.
Contractors won’t need to level the ground before getting started or pour continuous foundations and they can go back to perform interior floor grading at any time in the process. More often than not, the gravel, dirt, or concrete pad gets added after the home is already built. The end result is that the entire home building process takes less time and property owners will be able to move in faster.
Better Insulation
Since pole barn homes don’t have any interior load-bearing walls, they’re easier to insulate. The large spans between the posts create plenty of room for meeting or exceeding building code requirements and allows for better ventilation. The ability to insulate and ventilate the structure efficiently will save homeowners money on monthly bills.
Strength and Durability
Pole barn homes are strong and durable enough to withstand even harsh climates. The posts are anchored below the frost line to reduce problems with frost heaves, and these buildings are highly wind resistant. Unlike stick-frame buildings, they aren’t weak at the joints or the ends of their stud walls and can hold up to wind, heavy snow loads, and hard freezes without any additional framing or structural support.
Learn More Today
Property owners interested in this flexible, durable, and affordable construction technique should know that it can be used to create not just residential homes, but also garages, barns, stables, and all kinds of outbuildings. Find a contractor that specializes in post-frame construction and get in touch to learn more.